Coffee Talk

With the Pope's recent visit with Iran's Foreign Minister Manoucherehr Mottaki asking for a better dialogue with the US regarding Iran's atomic program, I started think about our future. I briefly talked about this earlier this month when I mentioned the US's growing relationship with India, but there are countries with nuclear weapons that are not willing to work with the US. According to ISIS (Institute for Science and International Security) there are only nine countries with nuclear weapons, but they did not include North Korea and Iran. What is the actual number of countries?

The US does seem to be building a connection with other nuclear powers, this summer they may be signing an agreement with Russia for the import of civilian nuclear power. This week the UN took a tiny step in sanctioning Iran's supply flow for it's nuclear program.

With all of this activity it makes me think that there is something bigger about to happen. As we ring in 2007, what is our Nuclear Future? Are we prepared to fight a war this level? What are the different levels of conflict the United States may face in 2007? (Look at this) Talk amongst yourselves.

(Artwork by Christel Weixelman)

Or you could post your New Years Resolutions; mine is getting readers for this blog!

Saturday Morning Cartoon

While you enjoy you morning bowl of Sugar Smacks, watch this wonderfully animated video for The Decemberists.

Los Angeles, I'm Yours

Band of the Week

The Bees (UK)

Otherwise known as A Band of Bees in the US, The Bees are back in '07, and better then ever! Octopus is there third LP and is going to be released in the UK in March, but no US release has been scheduled. (Of course, I have been listening to it all week.)

The Bees, not to be confused with the US band also called The Bees, formed in 2001, and are officially from the Isle of Wight. To arrive at their sound you need follow the following recipe:

1 cup Bluegrass
2 cups 60's Rock n' Roll
1 cup Hot Jazz
2 cups Funky Soul
and a pinch of Jamaican Flavoring

This six piece band really brings the heat from all different directions.
A good example of this was their 2005 single "Chicken Payback", they made a great video as well:



From Octopus (3/07):
Got To Let Go (mp3) (Highly Recommended!)
Listening Man (mp3)
Love in the Harbour (mp3)
Left Foot Stepdown (mp3)
End of the Street (mp3)

Bonus:
Chicken Payback (Madlib's Soul Distortion Vocal Remix) (mp3)


Visit The Bees here

Writer's Corner

Allen Ginsberg

"I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked,
dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn
looking for an angry fix,
angelheaded hipsters burning for the ancient heavenly connection to the starry dynamo in the machin-
ery of night,
who poverty and tatters and hollow-eyed and high sat up smoking in the supernatural darkness of
cold-water flats floating across the tops of cities contemplating jazz, ..."

This is the opening to the centerpiece of the Beat Movement, Allen Ginsberg's "Howl", and it is this poem that has inspired some many to write.

Allen Ginsberg was born in Newark, NJ in 1926, and he received a B.A. from Columbia University in 1948. Throughout his lifetime Ginsberg focused mainly on two topics, politics and mysticism. To obtain politicial change he joined up with hippie movement, and to obtain mystical change to used substances like marijuana and benzedrine. His biggest influences were William Blake and Walt Whitman. He has, on several occasions, been called the Walt Whitman of his generation. Ginsberg, throughout his twenties, enjoyed wild life that was mostly encouraged by his new friends Burroughs and Kerouac, but ultimately lead to a creative output that lasted his entire lifetime.

There was a great article written about Ginsberg in the Houston Chronicle earlier this month. The best is regarding Ginsberg mentality is "he shouldered the task of personally living through the traumas facing his society."

Hum Bomb? (Lebanon 2006 Edition)


Poems online: here or here (for "Howl")
Howl (mp3)
America (mp3)
Great Detailed bio: here
FBI File

Best of List: Top 10 Songs of 2006

These ten song really hit the target with me this year.

10. The Blow - Parenthesis (mp3)

9. Danielson - Did I Step on Your Trumpet? (mp3)

8. Baby Dayliner - Small Town Halls (mp3)

7. The Young Knives - Trembling and Trails (mp3)

6. We Will Build - Greece, Finally (mp3)

5. The Fratellis - Chelsea Dagger (mp3)

4. Ben Kweller - Magic (mp3)

3. Kelley Stoltz - Birdies Singing (mp3)

2. Page France - Jesus (mp3)

1. Peter Bjorn & John - Young Folks (mp3)

Artwork: "Hitting the Target" by Colin Johnson

Artist of the Week: Dan May

This is a new feature for Orange Alert, and it was brought on by my recent discovery of several emerging artists. There seems to be a growing community of artists coming together for showings and even collaborating on paintings. Every Wednesday I will feature a different artist, and this week we start with Dan May.

Dan May was born in Rochester, NY, and attended Syracuse University where he received a BFA in illustration. He now resides in Jacksonville, FL, where as he puts it maintains "a healthy mix of commercial and personal work that can be applied in a variety of settings". In June of this year, Dan received his first gallery showing at the M Modern Gallery in Palm Springs, CA, and since that show he has received 6 additional showings in 2006, with 4 already lined up in '07. He has had showings in IL, ID, CO, CA, FL, and even Hamburg, Germany.

In a September interview with LCS he had this to say, "I just hope to continue evolving as an artist. Each day seems to bring about a slue of new opportunities and new ideas. My goal is to see just how far I can push things… bigger, better, more!"

Visit Dan May here and here

Buy from Galleries: Wire Nut Studio and DvA

New Release Tuesday:

I am shocked that no one wants to release new music the day after Christmas! Things maybe be slow the last couple of weeks, but 2007 is going to be a great year for new music. However, that does not help us this week:

Music:

Gang Starr - Mass Appeal: Best of Gang Starr (CD/DVD)

N.W.A - The Best of N.W.A (CD/DVD)

Various - Let's Lazertag Sometime (I Know it was released in 11/06, but NMT say today as well, plus it is only $5.00 and a great comp CD!)

DVD:

The Black Dahlia (Scarlett Johansson)

The Decent (A holiday classic!)

Jackass: Number 2 (This is what is wrong with society and this country specifically)

The Last Kiss (Jacinda Barrett)

Monday Morning Mix:

Merry Christmas and happy listening!
Enjoy my mix, A Very Indie Christmas!

And then there is alway the great Dj Riko:

Merry Mixmas 2006 (mp3) (torrent)

Coffee Talk:

It's Christmas Eve, and I don't want to talk about war, politics, philosophy, or the true problems with our society. I just can't bring myself to focus on those things this time of year, and that is not necessarily a bad thing.

As we age Christmas seems to age with us, and in each stage of life the Holiday means something entirely different. When you are young this is the most electric time of year, everything is moving and glowing, and the anticipation is almost unbearable. The overwhelming excitement is contagious, but as you grow older the excitement fades and the celebration changes. As a teen, the goal was usually to impress your girlfriend with a nice gift or some kind of surprise. The childhood joy was gone and focus was more spending time with those you care about. Now, in my twenties, with a family, the focus is on trying to foster the joy in my children and make the holiday fun for them. There really isn't anything I am concerned about this season beside the look on my children's faces throughout this season. This joy now is not brought by gifts, but by traditions and time enjoying family.

This week's question is (to whoever maybe reading): Where are you in your Holiday aging process, and what brings you joy during this season? Talk amongst yourselves.

Saturday Monring Cartoon:

It is Christmas Eve eve, and this Saturday morning please enjoy a cartoon from Sufjan Stevens:

"Put The Lights on the Tree"

100th Post!! And still going...
(Artwork by Doug Boehm)

Band of the Week: Cassettes Won't Listen

CWL is the multi-instrumental product of Jason Drake, and in 2005 he created a lot of buzz with his debut Ep "Nobody's Moving". Since then he has remixed some of the indie scence's best, and now he is back with a digitally released instrumental album, "The Quiet Trial", release 11/06 on Dope Lotus Records. It is an instrumental album filled with detail blips and beats, and it firmly establishes Drake as one of New York's top emerging electronic artists. He is currently working on the LP following to Nobody's Moving, and move brilliant remixes. His music is a mix of hip-hop, funk, dance, rock, and whatever else he decides to throw in there. In a recent interview with Merry Swankster, Jason explains his stage name, "A “cassette” is also someone who is getting played by their surroundings. You can see this happening in all walks of life, from an A&R executive picking the next “hot band” to a biased journalist reporting the news. Its basically someone who is not true to themselves, these people won’t listen."

Lunch For Breakfast (Live)


The interesting thing about his live performance is he is scratching/playing a copy of Scratch Live on the laptop on the side on his turntables.

CWL - The Sidewalk Cruise (mp3)
CWL - Where Did Go (mp3)
CWL - Cut Your Hair (mp3)
CWL - Cutting Ballons (mp3)
CWL - Lunch For Breakfast (mp3)

Remixes:
Mr. Lif - Brothaz (CWL Remix) (mp3)
The Diggs - Everyone's Starting Over (CWL Remix) (mp3)
Pela - Lost to the Lonesome (CWL Remix) (mp3)
Midlake - Young Bride (CWL Remix) (mp3)
Asobi Seksu - Strawberries (CWL Remix) (mp3)
Morcheeba - Everybody Loves a Loser (mp3) (Go Cubs!)

Visit:
Official Site
MySpace

Writer's Corner: Gary Snyder

Born in San Francisco in 1930, Gary Snyder brought balance and Buddhism to the beats. It was his passion and Buddhist calmness that inspired Kerouac to write "The Dharma Bums". Snyder attended Reed College with friends and fellow beats Philip Whalen and Lew Welch. He then transferred to Berkeley to study Asian Languages, and it there that he met Kenneth Rexroth and fell into the Beat scene. According to Glyn Maxwell, "Snyder's poetry blends America's native past with the grandeur and detail of nature, and the mental disciplines of Zen Buddhism". Another good analogy is, "if Ginsberg was the Beat Whitman, then Snyder would be the Thoreau".

How Poetry Comes to Me
It comes blundering over the
Boulders at night, it stays
Frightened outside the
Range of my campfire
I go to meet it at the
Edge of the light

Snyder is most famous for reading his poem "A Berry Feast" at the famous 6 Poets at 6 Gallery on 10/7/55, the night Ginsberg debuted "Howl".

Poems online or Here

Best Of Lists 2006 (Part 3): My Album's of the Year (30-1)

This is my to top 60 albums (non hip-hop) part 2, enjoy. (Artwork by Eric Adler)

30. Beach House - Beach House (10/06) Absolutely beautiful debut from this Baltimore duo, graceful drone and soft dreamlike melodies galore. Perfect winter soundscape!
Master of None (mp3)

29. Annuals - Be He Me (10/06) Solid release from these newcomers, showing a lot of diversity in their style, and I look forward to more great releases from them.
Carry Around (mp3)

28. The Thermals - The Body, The Blood, The Machine (8/06) Aggressive take on dance punk, and lyrical content as well.
A Pillar of Salt (mp3)

27. Headlights - Kill Them With Kindness (8/06)
Great format that a lot bands are following, Keyboards + female singer = greatness!
TV (mp3)

26. Tokyo Police Club - A Lesson in Crime (4/06)
This Canadian group make it look to easy, forming in the spring on 2005, playing some local shows that summer, releasing an ep on 1/06, and by 4/06 (one year later) release a great debut LP. Perhaps EYE Weekly summed it up best when they wrote "[Tokyo Police Club] are undeniably catchy and raw, marrying danceable hooks with talk of robot masters and global emergencies, providing an upbeat soundtrack to our troubled times."
Nature of the Experiment (mp3)

25. The Black Keys - Magic Potion (9/06) Great release from this duo. Their sound fills the room, and it is harder to image that it comes from just two instruments. Their Magic Potion allows them to channel Jimi Hendrix, and the results are amazing.
Modern Times (mp3)

24. Danielson - Ships (5/06) Daniel Smith's voice is unique, and you are either going to love it or hate, but his passion you cannot debate. A great performance at pitchfork over the summer really sold me on this album, and their costumes are very original!
Two Sitting Ducks (mp3)

23. Ratatat - Classics (8/06) This is wonderful dance album full of beats and sounds to fill the dance floor. In recent interview in Fader they were asked "At it's widest, what's playing on Classics?". The answer was "70 tracks". Incredible!
Wildcat (mp3)

22. The Long Winters - Putting Days to Bed (7/06) According to their website: "John Roderick writes songs that make you feel like you’ve been talking to someone really interesting in an airport for the last hour and, although you know you’ll never see them again, you just told them your whole life story and a part of you will love them forever". They also rock with what they call "guitar pop rave-ups".
Pushover (mp3)

21. Lily Allen - Alright, Still (7/06) This myspace diva has become an overnight success, but she has the skills to back it up. She is going to blow up when her album hits the states!
Everything is Wonderful (mp3)

20. Grizzly Bear - Yellow House (9/06) "The album was self-recorded during an idyllic summer. The makeshift studio was provided by Droste's mom's living room in a yellow house just off Cape Cod". Their music want to sound homemade, but there is deeper quality to that is magical and a little scary at the same time.
Knife (mp3)

19. The Knife - Silent Shout (7/06) I almost slept on this album because of their freaky photos, but last month I thought twice and love every funky dark disco moment!
We Share Our Morther's Health (mp3)

18. Electric Presidents - Electric Presidents (1/06) Incredible home recordings from Ben Cooper and Alex Kane, this album is breath-takingly warm and familiar at times, and cold and distant at others. In fact, this album would make a good wife now that I think about it.
Good Morning, Hypocrite (mp3)

17. Matt and Kim - Matt and Kim (10/06) Young duo (and couple) out Brooklyn NY make energetic dance-punk with just drums and keyboards.
Yea Yeah (mp3)

16. Alias & Tarsier - Brookland/Oaklyn (5/06) Beautifully dark and moody, this duo has found the perfect blend of beat and beauty to transcend anything the trip-hop movement of the nineties could have even imagined.
Last Nail (mp3)

15. The Fratellis - Costello Music (9/06) Barry, Mince, Jon Fratelli have put out a piece of pop-punk perfection. 'Mon the Fratellis!
Creeping Up the Backstairs (mp3)

14. The Octopus Project and Black Moth Super Rainbow - The House of Apples and Eyeballs (10/06) Absolutely fresh and creative extremists team up to create a disc full of very inventive beats and sounds.
Lollipopsichord (mp3)

13. Beirut - The Gulag Orkestar (5/06) Nineteen and so creative and mature, Zach Condon has made his debut a masterpiece. He will follow it up with a solid ep next month. He has greatness in his future.
Postcards from Italy (mp3)

12. Arrah & The Ferns - Evan is a Vegan (8/06) Organ, banjo, horns, and Arrah great voice, this band is basically a group of friends just having fun. According to Amazon, they started as a whim at an open mic night. What a great whim it was!
Apple for Evan (mp3)

11. CSS - Cansei de Ser Sexy (7/06) Bouncy brazilian bounty of beats bending from the breaks and making you beg for more!
Let's Make Love and Listen to Death From Above (mp3)

10. The Grates - Gravity won't get you High (8/06) It was the year of the female vocalist, three in a row! Patience Hodgson brings an amazing amount of energy to her music, and a great voice as well. This Australian trio has prepared a hand-written bio that is quite funny.
Science is Golden (mp3)

9. M. Ward - Post-War (8/06) Hearing the title of this album I thought "Oh man, another collection of protest songs!", but that is not the war that M. Ward is talking about. He is talking about a more personal war. His voice floats gracefully over guitar, and brings all conflicts to an end.
Chinese Translations (mp3)

8. Ben Kweller - Ben Kweller (9/06) I've liked Ben Kweller's work for a couple years now, but I had no idea he was capable of putting together a record like this one. It is simple pop perfection from track 1 to track 11, and covers love, personal growth, heartache, and war. He has also had a great voice, but now he has become a great song writer.
Penny on the Train Track (mp3)

7. Jim Noir - Tower of Love (8/06) This one took a little while to settle in before I was completely sold, but I am sold now. I've seen comparisons to The Beatles, Beach Boys, etc, but Noir really utilizes all influences and genres while making music. I'm not going to say he is better then those artist, he simply has more to draw from.
My Patch (mp3)

6. Peter, Bjorn & John - Writer's Block (6/06) This genre mixing trio from the music rich Sweden, start with a classic surfy-beachy sound and then add some modern technology for a great result. It's the genius of the new indie-swed-pop!
The Chills (mp3)

5. Kelley Stoltz - Below the Branches (2/06) The bedroom recordings of Kelley Stoltz sound as if his bedroom transported by to the 70's, and he was somehow allowed to bring back these thirteen hidden gems from artists now gone and forgotten.
Memory Collector (mp3)

4. The Blow - Paper Television (10/06) Maricich and Bechtolt's brilliant attempt to create pop music. Bass, blips, keyboard, creating a full sound to accompany Maricich's confident lyrics. A great album for dancing, driving and dating.
The Long List of Girls (mp3)

3. Benoit Pioulard - Precis (11/06) This album essentially one piece of music, each is connected to the next, and the effect is amazing. Graceful soundscape mix with pop statement to create near perfection!
Triggering Back(mp3)

2. The Decemberists - The Crane Wife (10/06) Coming into this year this album was the most anticipated for me personally, and Colin Meloy and company did not disappoint. On their major label debut, The Decemberists tell an epic story of a deperate soul looking for love, rescuing a crane, and a magic journey.
The Crane Wife 3 (mp3)

1. Page France - Hello, Dear Wind (9/06) My obsession this year has been with Page France and Micheal Nau, and I simply can not stop listening to this album. The wonderful part is that I can play it anywhere, clean and simple, beautiful and passionate, everything I have ever wanted in a album.
Chariot (mp3)

Stay tuned for the Top 10 songs of the year next week...

Wednesday's Link of Week:

'Tis is the season to force the kids to enjoy what you think they should enjoy, and then not follow through with the gift they were forced to ask Santa for! I know I have a few photos like these around the house. Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!

New Release Tuesday:

Music:

More great hip-hop this year...
Nas - Hip Hop is Dead Black Republician (mp3)
The Pack - Skateboards 2 Scrapers Vans (mp3)

Jeremy Warmsley - Dirty Blue Jeans (Single) (mp3)

Lily Allen - Littlest Thing (Single) (mp3)

DVD's:

Little Miss Sunshine
My Super Ex-girlfriend
The Wickerman
All The King's Men

Monday Morning Mix:

This mix can be found here, and was not created by me, but it is really funny. The quality is not the best, but it is definatly worth a listen. The creator, seat 18b, mashed audio from The Office with songs used during the different shows.

Coffee Talk:

The Just-War Theory (or justum bellum) deals with the justification of how and why wars are fought. In theory, there are traditions and regulations that both side agree to follow while in war, but many times these traditions are not upheld when differing cultures or religions are involved. Many of the traditions pertain to the honor or dishonor associated with certain acts of war, and an overall sense of etiquette during wartime.

1. You must have just cause
2. Proper authority to act
3. Proper intentions and an overall goal
4. The principle of reasonable success (you must be able gauge success based on the goals set.)
5. The ends must justify the means

There are two simple qualification contained in this theory for conduct during war, the principle of discrimination and the principle of proportionality. The first implies that each side must be able to respect the difference between the civilian and the soldier. This area is routinely ignored by troops on both sides of war. Proportionality, arriving at the root of this week's topic, is concerned with how much force is morally appropriate.

Just War Theory
Principles of Just War
Just War vs Self-Defense

Can having these theories, principles, and regulations bring a level ethics or morality to war? Justification is one thing, but morality is completely different. Talk amongst yourselves.

Saturday Morning Cartoon:

While you eat your bowl of "Winter"Fruity Pebbles, enjoy The Pink Panther Christmas Special.


Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

See Also: Pink Nasty - Don't Ever Change (mp3)

Artist of the Week: Z-Trip

Legendary: so celebrated as to having taken on the nature of a legend (as defined by google).

Is it a stretch to call, the Phoenix native, Zach Sciacca (aka. Z-Trip) legendary? He has been spinning records for over 18 years, has opened for The Rolling Stones, and has refined what it means to be a DJ. He credits himself as being a pioneer in the "mashups" or as he calls them "Blends", but that is a very debatable credit. However, what is not debatable is his mix cd with DJ P in 2001, Uneasy Listening, has been one of the most downloaded mixes in history. Z-Trip recently made this entire mix available for download on his website. It comes in four parts, and it is truly incredible.
Part 1 (mp3) Part 2 (mp3) Part 3 (mp3) Part 4 (mp3)

Z-Trip's major label debut, Shifting Gears, came out on Hollywood Records in April 2005, and since then he has parted ways with the label. However, has remained active and just released a new mix cd called "Live at the Get Back Vol. 3" with Melo-D (of Beat Junkie fame) and others. You can only buy it at Z-Trip's store, but it is only $7. He is also putting the finishing touch on a new cd with Lateef the Truthspeaker and others called "Ahead of the Curve". He is also starting production on his next solo record, and recently got married. He is a busy man to say the least.

Run Run Run - Fade Into You (Z-Trip Mix) (mp3)

Watch this interview during last year "Shifting Gears" Tour:


Download Z-Trip's Live Mix on Power 106 from 8/06 (mp3)
Visit Z-Trip Here

The Office: A Bennihana Christmas

Angela had a great episode, but don't ever forget "Bro's before Hoes!"

Dwight: Don’t worry, she’s dead … oh wait… he’s dead.
Dwight: I accidentally ran over it. It’s a Christmas miracle!

Dwight: And circle gets the square.

Jim (reading Dwight’s file): “Last year, my boss, Michael Scott, took a day off, ‘cuz he said he had pneumonia, but really, he was leaving early to go to magic camp.”

Dwight: Permission to join the Validity Committee.
Jim: Permission denied.



Jim: Wow, thanks for taking all the excuses, dude.
Ryan: Doctor appointment, car trouble, plantar warts, granddad fought in World War II. Use your head, man. I keep mine in here. Look alive, Halpert. Welcome back.

More quotes in the comments...

Writer's Corner: Lawrence Ferlinghetti

Ferlinghetti's importance in the beat movement was not simply through writings, but more importantly through his publishing company and book store "City Light's" in San Francisco. Recently given the title "Commandeur des Arts et Lettres" by the French government, Ferlinghetti was born in Yonkers in 1919 and received his masters degree from Columbia University in 1947. He founded the City Lights bookstore in 1953 and launched the publishing house in 1955. Since 1953, the store has been a meeting place for many of nation's greatest writers. In 1956, City Lights published Ginsberg's "Howl", and Ferlinghetti was proudly arrested on obscenity charges.

Besides publishing, Ferlinghetti is also writer and a prominent painter. According to his website, he art has been shown in galleries around the world.

Poems online:

Brainwashed Poet

Speak Out!

Baseball Canto

More...

Paintings:

Don't Give Me

More...

(artwork by William Wolff)

Best of List 2006 (Part 2): My Album's of the Year (60-31)

This is my to top 60 albums (non hip-hop) part 1, enjoy. (Artwork by Matthew Feyld)

60. Psapp - The Only Thing I Ever Wanted (6/06)
Hi (mp3)

59. The Lemonheads - The Lemonheads (9/06)
Black Gown (mp3)

58. Wolfmother - Wolfmother (5/06)
Dimension (mp3)

57. Morrissey - Ringleader of The Tormentors (4/06)
The Youngest was the Most Loved (mp3)

56. Oh No! Oh My! - Oh No! Oh My! (7/06)
Walk in the Park (mp3)

55. MuteMath - MuteMath (9/06)
Typical (mp3)

54. Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am (2/06)
Perhaps Vampire is a bit Strong...(mp3)

53. The Young Knives - Voices of Animals and Men (8/06)
Here Comes the Rumor Mill (mp3)

52. Snowden - Anti-Anti (8/06)
Anti-Anti (mp3)

51. Eef Barzelay - Bitter Honey (2/06)
Ballad of Bitter Honey (mp3)

50. I'm From Barcelona - Let Me Introduce My Friends (6/06)
We're From Barcelona (mp3)

49. Joseph Arthur - Nuclear Daydream (9/06)
Black Lexus (mp3)

48. Benjy Ferree - Leaving the Nest (8/06)
In the Countryside (mp3)

47. Baby Dayliner - Critics Pass Away (5/06)
At Least (mp3)

46. Chad VanGaalen - Skelliconnection (8/06)
Flower Garden (mp3)

45. Lights.On - Tape (12/06)
Summertime (mp3)

44. Klaxons - Xan Valleys (10/06)
Gravity Rainbows (Van She Tech Remix) (mp3)

43. Tobias Froberg - Somewhere in the City (8/06)
When the Night Turns Cold (mp3)

42. Love is All - Nine Times that Same Song (3/06)
Make Out Fall Out Make Up (mp3)

41. Casiotone For the Painfully Alone - Etiquette (3/06)
Young Shields (mp3)

40. Bound Stems - Appreciation Night (9/06)
Western Biographic (mp3)

39. Silversun Pickups - Canvas (7/06)
Lazy Eye (mp3)

38. Mew - And the Glass Handed Kites (7/06)
The Zookeeper's Boy (mp3)

37. Princeton - A Case of the Emperors Clothers (10/06)
The Indifference Curve (mp3)

36. Tapes n' Tapes - The Loon (7/06)
Cowbell (mp3)

35. We Will Build - This Is Necessary (12/06)
Greece, Finally (mp3)

34. Archie Bronson Outfit - Derdang Derdang (4/06)
Dead Funny (mp3)

33. Islands - Return to the Sea (4/06)
Don't Call me Whitney, Bobby (mp3)

32. The Hidden Cameras - Awoo (9/06)
She's Gone (mp3)

31. Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out of this Country (6/06)
Lloyd, I'm Ready to be Heartborken (mp3)

Stay Tuned...

New Release Tuesday:

I think everyone is waiting until 2007 to release new material, but there are a couple new releases this week:

Music:

We Will Build - This is Necessary (It's free, It's incredible, what are you waiting for, go get it!) Jerusalem (mp3)

Ghostface Killah - More Fish (mp3)

The Lovely Feathers - My Dear Best Friend Daniel (mp3)

Sonic Youth - The Destroyed Room (b-sides and rarities) (mp3)

Songs of Green Pheasant - Aerial Days

DVD's:

Barnyard (Go Kids!)

The Devils Wears Prada (I suppose Oprah wears Prada, but why do we care?)

Talladega Nights (Oh Will Ferrell, how great thou art!)

World Trade Center (Let's Roll!)

Spread the word!

Monday Morning Mix:

This week's mix can be found here, and features music (mp3's) from Does it Offend You, Yeah?, Ratatat, The Knife, Mixel Pixel, Clipse, Spank Rock, and more. Check it out! (artwork by Eric Adler)

Coffee Talk:

This week's topic revolves around the emerging issues in India between the US and the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party). According to Reuters, congress passed legislation on Friday that will allow the US to sell nuclear reactors and fuel to India. This ends 30 years of policy that has stopped this from happening. The original policy was put in place because India refused and refuses to sign the "nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and developed nuclear weapons in contravention of international standards". This has not changed, but they have agreed to "actively cooperate in restraining Iran's nuclear program". The overall public concern is that this will create another arms race.

Today, there was surprising news out of India that the BJP opposes the act passed by congress claiming it is "capping, rolling back and eventually eliminating" India's nuclear weapons capability. They claim that the act compromises India's foreign policy, and it is a form of "political warming".

Question:
Should the US strengthen it's nuclear ties with India? Will this partnership help reduce the risk of nuclear attack from Iran or North Korea or will this heighten the risk? Talk amongst yourselves.

Saturday Morning Cartoon:

While you eat your fruity pebbles this morning, enjoy this animated video by El Perro Del Marr.

God Knows (You Gotta Give to Get)

Artist of the Week: Lights.On

Dan Govier, half of the electro-folk duo We Will Build, released his solo debut "Tape" on December 1st under the name Lights.On. Using field recordings, his piano work, and computer technology, Dan has created a product that is beautiful, but more abrasive then his work with We Will Build. The songs on this internet only release range from gentle piano ballads to full on drum 'n bass madness, and every moment has been processed and analyzed by this unique Baraboo, WI native.

Dan Govier is an independent producer and musician, and is not currently seeking a label. In a recent interview with Estee Schwatrz, he said this “I’m for musicians making money and I think they have every right not to have people download their music, but in our case, I just don’t care.” That is why he has decided to release this amazing album for free! He makes music for the enjoyment of the process, and the many different results that may come from that process. So, if you are looking for something new, something electronic, and something creative, check out Lights.On!

My Favorites from Tape:
Two Fawns (mp3)
Slippers (mp3)
Let's Try This (mp3)
How Much You Can Do (mp3)

Also visit:
We Will Build
Lights.On on MySpace

Writer's Corner: Gregory Corso

Born in New York City (Greenwich Village to be exact), March 26, 1930, Gregory Corso is a fundamental beat poet to the core. Spending time in prison, as a merchant seaman, unofficially at Harvard, and living in both New York and California in the 1950's. He met Allen Ginsberg at age 20, and at that moment decided to make poetry his life's mission. He had begun writing in prison on robbery charges at the age of 16.

Corso's appeal has always been his sense of humor. A poet doesn't always have to write the great and deep verse for the ages. His legend sits primarily in the body of two poems, "BOMB" and "Marriage". BOMB, with it cutting describe of our nuclear future, takes on the shape of a mushroom cloud as it narrows in on this line: "Know that the earth will madonna the Bomb/that in the hearts of men to come more bombs will be born/magisterial bombs wrapped in ermine all beautiful/and they'll sit plunk on earth's grumpy empires/fierce with moustaches of gold". Marriage, on the other hand, is a classic example of Corso's humor and style. This poem was partial read by Ethan Hawke in Reality Bites. "Should I get married? Should I be Good?/Astound the girl next door with my velvet suit and faustaus hood?/Don't take her to movies but to cemeteries tell all about werewolf bathtubs and forked clarinets" It is the story of every 20 year olds fear of committing to a women, and it is very well written.

During his lifetime, Corso, published 16 books, mostly poetry, but also a play (This Hung-Up Age) and a novel (The American Express). He died at the age of 70 of prostate cancer, but before he went he wrote his epitaph:
Spirit
is Life
It flows thru
the death of me
endlessly
like a river
unafraid
of becoming
the sea

Poems online

Best of List 2006 (Part 1): My Year in Hip-Hop

Over the next few weeks I will be posting my four "Best Of" lists for 2006. This weeks list is "My Year in Hip-Hop", and it does not feature Snoop, Jay-z, Luda, or T.I. because this is my year in Hip-Hop!

25. Muallem - Frankie Splits (4/06)
"Bouncy electronic b-boy beats" Yes, please!
BBC1 said: “Frankie Splits delivers hip-hop brio, techno innovation and dancefloor euphoria with a sense of fun but, crucially, a straight face.”
2hot2cold2tough ft Lyrics Born (mp3)

24. Doctor Who Dat? - Beat Journey (8/06)
The mostly instrumental debut from the mysterious Dr. Tom Baker is a cosmic ride through the Brazilian rainforests and other tropical places.
B-Boy Portrait in Spain (mp3)

23. Murs and The 9th Wonder - Murray's Revenge (3/06)
I let Murs say it: “I am better than your favorite rapper / But it don’t take much these days for you to master the mic / Most of these rappers trapped in the hype / They makin’ whole albums only half of its tight.” So True!
Murs Day (mp3)


22. Jel - Soft Money (2/06)
Chicago native and Northwestern grad, Jeffery Logan, has crafted some of the most interesting beats over the last few years, and soft money is no exception.
WMD (mp3)

21. People Under the Stairs - Stepfather (4/06)
A more mature release from Thes One and Double K, and really don't we all need to grow up a little. There is a strong focus on family, and on creating deep relationships and even deeper beats.
Flex Off (mp3)

20. 7L & Esoteric - A New Dope (6/06)
These two near legends took a risk this year and it almost paid off. They stop rapping about topics, and simple wanted to have some fun. The music on this disc sound like amped up 80's electro jams. It is a good product, but not their best.
Get Dumb (mp3)

19. J Dilla - Donuts (2/06)
Stones Throw legend, Jay Dee, died this year and his presence in the hip hop community will be missed. However, should that affect the way his music is perceived? This record is a collection of beats, and not really much more then that.
Stop (mp3)

18. K-the-I??? - Broken Love Letter (10/06)
"With a booming voice, an indestructible wall of beats, and a lifetime of girl problems, k-the-i??? brings forth a cure for the jaded hip-hop head in the form of his Mush debut, Broken Love Letter." according to Mush
Go Go Girls (mp3)

17. Ghostface Killah - Fishscale (3/06)
Bringing back the classic "WU" style, GFK found a lot of critical success this year. However, I have never been a huge fan of the Wu-Tang gentleman, and this record good but not great.
Dogs of War (mp3)

16. Dilated Peoples - 20/20 (2/06)
I was a little disappointed with this album, and it seems their product get worse with each release. I want more Babu, but it was still a solid album.
You Can't Hide, You Can't Run (mp3)

15. Lady Sovereign - Public Warning (10/06)
Bring the Grime straight from the ghetto of Wembley, London. Real name Louise Harman, she brings the bass, but lacks believability.
Fiddle With The Volume (mp3)

14. Cut Chemist - The Audience's Listening (7/06)
This album could have been so much more, but there are still many great tracks here. The Ipod commercial really brought me back to this disc. J5 will never be the same, and that is why they are not on this list!
The Audience is Listing Theme Song(mp3)

13. Oh No - Exodus into Unheard Rhythms (8/06)
Another Stones Throw product and Madlib's brother, Oh NO has been in the game for years and he finally found the right combination and received the right amount of help (Cali Agents, Aloe Blacc, MED, Wildchild, etc.)
Keep Tryin' ft Roc C & Aloe Blacc (mp3)

12. Subtle - For Hero: For Fool (10/06)
I let them explain it:
A contiguous and conceptual work of album as art, picking up and running away with the motifs and musical arrangements of "a new white" and their four self-released season themed ep's. "for hero : for fool" boldly follows the B-movie dreams and midday terrors of a working-class poet, born of raw raps and the somewhat vacuum times of the last quarter century...
Midas Gutz (mp3)

11. Soul Position - Things Goes Better with Rj and Al (3/06)
RJD2 and Blueprint together again and better then ever. RJD2 is one of the best produces in the business, classic yet original.
Hand-Me-Downs (mp3)

10. Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury (11/06)
Huge hype, and they do deliver (drugs that this)! Solid flows, but it is the beats that will keep you coming back for more.
Wamp Wamp (Pistol Pete Remix) (mp3)

9. Wax Tailor - Tales of Forgotten Melodies (5/06)
The backbone of hip-hop is the DJ, and this one has several tales to tell.
Que Sera (mp3)

8. Rhymefest - Blue Collar (7/06)
Out of the shadow of Kayne West and into the spotlight, Rhymefest is one of Chicago best and brightest rappers.
Dynomite (going Postal) (mp3)

7. Aloe Blacc - Shine Through (7/06)
They call him a renaissance man, and he really has perfect several styles and a couple languages. He has also put out a perfect R&B/Hip-Hop album, and help make Stones Throw my hip hop label of the year.
Bailar - Scene 1(mp3)

6. K-os - Atlantis: Hymns for Disco (10/06)
This diverse album is hard to classify and rank. I love almost everything about it, but it is hard to say it is the best "hip-hop" album of the year.
Electrik Heat (the Seekwill) (mp3)

5. Ugly Duckling - Bang for the Buck (4/06)
I've been fans of Andy, Dizzy and Young Einstein for years and this release is one of the best. This album is what hip-hop should be; fun, energetic, and with a crate diggin' Dj!
Let it Out (mp3)

4. Girl Talk - Night Ripper (5/06)
Greg Gillis on the surface is just another bootlegger, but when you hear the complete work it almost transcends the source material. He takes the bedroom producer to a new level.
Hold Up (mp3)

3. Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere (5/06)
Hugh success for this duo and a great album track by track. I hope they do this again!
Just a Thought (mp3)

2. Mr. Lif - Mo' Mega (6/06)
There was nothing like receiving an autographed copy direct from Lif. It is not better then I Phantom, but it is still a great release!
Take, Hold, Fire! (mp3)

1. Cadence Weapon - Breaking Kayfabe (11/06)
Straight from the mean streets of Edmonton, this 19 year old has it all, big beats, grinding bass, and hard hitting raps.
Sharks (mp3)

Stay Tuned...

New Release Tuesday:

Not a good week for music! Of Montreal released two singles, but that is about it:

Music:
Babyshambles - The Blinding EP (mp3)
Of Montreal - She's a Rejecter (single)
Of Montreal - Faberge Falls for Shuggie DJ Edition (mp3) (They say there are 500 copies being released today!)
Okkervil River - The President's Dead (single) (mp3)
Psychic Ills - Early Violence
Emilie Simon - Desert (single) (mp3)
The O.C. Mix 6: Covering our Tracks
This is bands covering song featured on the O.C. (confused, I am!)
Tally Hall - Smile Like You Mean it (Killers) (mp3)
Goldspot - Float On (Modest Mouse) (mp3)
Band of Horses - End's Not Near (The New Year) (mp3)

DVD's:
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Beerfest
Miami Vice
How To Eat Fried Worms

Monday Morning Mix:

Brought to us by Bootleggers around and complied by the great DJ BC, this weeks mix is "Santastic II: Clausome". This mix features new tracks by DJ BC, Go Home Productions, Lenlow, Cheekyboy, and many more! Check it out.

Go to the About page for details on each mash-up.

ToToM - Rudolph The Paranoid Reindeer (mp3)
There is no better way to enjoy the Holidays then listening to Dean Martin mixed with Black Sabbath!
Enjoy and Happy Holidays!